Steam-trap.



1*. A. LITTLEPIBLD.

STEAM TRAP.

APPLIOATION FILED Dnc. 2.1909.

Patented June-13, 1911.V

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FRANK A. LITTLEFIELID, OF NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO NASI-IUAMA- CHINE COMPANY, OF NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

STEAM-TRAP.

To all whom fit may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK A. LITTLE- FIELD, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Nashua, in the county of Hillsboro and Stateof New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in Steam-Traps, of whichthe following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings,is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing likeparts.

rIhis invention pertains to steam traps and may be embodied in thatgeneral type of trap shown and described in my United States LettersPatent No. 893,529, dated July 14, 1908, and in my pending applicationSerial No. 47 6,069, February 4, 1909.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood,I have disclosed a single embodiment thereof in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a View mainly in vertical central sectionof a steam trap embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectiontaken through the bowl head, its trunnions and adjacent parts; Fig. 3 isa cent-ral vertical section taken through the bowl head and representingthe position of the valves when the bowl is elevated; Fig. 4 is acorresponding view representing t-he position of the valves when thebowl is depressed; Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view on an enlargedscale of the vent valve; Fig. 6 is a similar view of the live steamvalve.

Vhile the steam trap herein disclosed may in certain aspects thereof beof general application, it is more particularly intended for use as areturn trap for steam boilers, so

far as the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6 is concerned.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the base or tripod whereonthe various parts of the trap are supported is indicated at 1, itpreferably having a tubular yoke generally similarto that shown in myPat-- ent No. 491,486, Feb. 8, 1893, the ends of the yoke arms beingrepresented at 2, 3 in Fig. 2. The said yoke arms 2 and 3 respectivelysupport the trunnions 4, 5, serving in the character of stud shaftswhereon the tilting bowl 6 is mounted. Into the neck 7 of the bowl isthreaded the chambered head 8 as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, said headhaving opposite packing nuts 9, 10 threaded into side openings therein.Said nuts 9 and 10 constitute bearings for the bowl and per- Y exhaustpassage 16.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patgntgd June 13, 1911.

Application filed December 2, 1909.

Serial No. 531,034.

mit it and its chambered head to rock upon the trunnions 4 and 5.

The trunnion 5, and which I herein for convenience designate the feedand discharge trunnion, may be and preferably is similar to thecorresponding part in my said application No. 476,069, it beingpreferably provided with a coil spring 11 tending to move said trunnionaxially to the right viewing Fig. 2, thereby to establish a tight jointbetween said trunnion and the packing nut 10. The pipe constituting thetrunnion 5 is suitably connected to the steam boiler and to thecirculation, in order to receive the water 0f condensation and conductit into the bowl through the head 8 of the bowl, as indicated by thearrow in Fig. 2. Then the bowl is filled, the water of condensation isreturned through said pipe to the boiler.

In that type of steam trap to which my invention is more particularlydirected, the water of condensation flows by gravity from the bowl whenthe same is depressed. In order to permit the water of condensation toescape from the bowl by gravity, I introduce steam or other suitableiiuid into the bowl above the surface of the water therein, so that thepressure upon the water may be equalized. For this purpose, the bowl isprovided with a pipe 12 threaded into a partition 13 near one end of thehead 8. Steam or other suitable fluid is admitted from any suitablesource into the pipe 14 shown in Fig. 1 as tapped into the yoke, and isthen conducted through the hollow yoke arm 2 and thence into thetrunnion 4.

I have for convenience herein designated the trunnion 4 as a live steamand vent trunnion. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, this trunnion hasits inner end which is positioned within the head 8 closed, and isdivided by a longitudinal partition 14 into a live steam inlet passage15 and a steam The steam inlet passage 15 is at all times incommunication with the interior of the yoke arm 2, as shown in Fig. 2,and thus is constantly supplied with steam.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, the trunnion 4 is provided witha threaded lateral opening at that end which is received within the head8, and threaded thereinto is a short pipe 16 positioned wholly withinthe outer end of the head 8 of the bowl and having a closed end 17.Preferably in the bot-tom of the pipe 16 l provide a valve seat 18 andmount thereon a live steam valve 19 having a stem 20 extending throughthe valve seat 18 to within a suitable distance from the adjacentportion of the interior wall of the head 8, when the bowl 6 is elevatedor in its filling position. The valve stem 2O should for the bestresults be of such length as to provide for lost motion between themovements of the bowl and' valve, as will be more particularlydescribed. Opposite the valve seat 18 the pipe 16 is preferably providedwith a threaded plug 21 and in line therewith the head 8 is providedwit-h a suitably threaded plug 22 permitting access to the parts.Preferably also the head 8 is provided with an end threaded plug 23.

Vhile the bowl 6 Vis filling-that is, while it is in elevatedposition,-the live steam valve 19 is seated, inasmuch as its stem 20 isout of Contact with the wall of the head 8. Vhen, however, the bowl isfilled and descends in the frame, the head 8 thereof, being at theopposite side of the trunnions from said bowl, is elevated into theposition shown in Fig. 4;. During the movement of the head 8 into theposition shown in Fig. el, the wall thereof contacts with the stem 2O ofthe live steam valve 19, thereby lifting the valve as indicated in saidligure and opening the same. This permits the steam contained within theinlet passage 15 and pipe 16 to escape past said valve into the annularspace between the pipe 16 and head 8, and thence through the pipe 12into the bowl 6, thereby equalizing the pressure upon the water ofcondensation in the bowl.

Preferably the stem 2O of the valve 19 is made short enough so that thebowl may have moved downward a sufficient distance to acquireconsiderable momentum before the wall of the bowl head 8 contacts withsaid stem and opens the valve. The result of this construction is thatwhen the valve is opened, it is opened quickly and the descent of thebowl is not interrupted.

lt is apparent that after the bowl has emptied it is necessary to reducethe steam pressure therein to permit refilling thereof. For thispurpose, I have in this embodiment of the invention provided a ventvalve shown most clearly in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. As there shown the head 8has a plug 24 threaded therein and tapped into said plug is anadjustable valve stem 25 having a flange 25 provided with a preferablyrounded lower face, and a valve head 26 loosely mounted on said stem.Said valve head is preferably composed of two parts threaded togetherand between said valve head and the valve stem flange 25 is a coiledspring 27. The valve stem 25 is provided with a lock nut 28 permittingany desired adjustment of said valve stem. The valve head 26 is adaptedto seat upon a preferably detachable valve seat. 29 provided upon thesteam eX- haust side of the trunnion 4f. It will be noted that the ventvalve is at the opposite side of the rocking axis of the bowl 6 from thelive steam valve 19.

Viewing F ig. 3, it will be noted that when the bowl 6 is in elevated orfilling position, the vent valve is opened, thereby permitting reductionof steam pressure within the bowl 6. The steam introduced into said bowlto equalize the pressure upon the water therein escapes through the pipe12 and enters the steam exhaust passage 16 through the valve seat 29 andthence escapes through any suitable pipe 36 to any desired point. Thepipe 30, if employed, may, as shown in Fig. 2, be tapped into both theyoke arm 2 and the end of the trunnion 4. It will be apparent that inthis embodiment of my invention the live steam valve 19 closes duringand preferably at the commencement of the upward movement of the bowl 6and when closed prevents admission of steam through the pipe 12 into thebowl. The vent valve does not begin to open until the live steam valveis entirely closed, the trap, after the live steam valve is closed,continuing its lifting movement suiiiciently to open the vent valve. Thespring' 27 and the loose mounting of the valve head 26 upon the valvestem 25 permit the retention of said vent valve upon its seat 29 duringa portion of the upward movement of the bowl 6 and until the live steamvalve is closed, the spring 27 being contracted by the upward movementof the bowl 6 and consequent similar movement of the valve stem 25,which being upon the same side of the rocking axis as the bowl moves inthe same direction as the bowl. After the live steam valve is entirelyclosed, the head 26 Aof the vent valve is snapped from the valve seat29, and thus permits the escape of steam from within the bowl 6. Duringthe reverse movement of the bowl,- that is to say, when it is filled andis descending in the frame,-the vent valve closes, and in thisembodiment of the invention simultaneously with the opening of the livesteam valve. This closing of the vent valve at a period not later thanthe opening of the live steam valve prevents loss of live steam throughthe exhaust. It will be apparent that neither spring nor packing isemployed with the live steam valve 19 and that it operates withoutfriction andA is seated through its own weight.

rl`he tilting of the bowl 6 is preferably governed by means of aweighted lever 30 connected by a link 31 with an ear 32 on the bowl 6.In the particular form of weighted lever and link shown, the operationof the trap is rendered desirably prompt and accurately responsive topredetermined conditions of water in the bowl 6, substantially in 13@the manner described in my Patent No. 898,529, July 14, 1908. It isapparent, however, that within the scope of my invention any othersuitable means covering the tilting ot the bowl may be utilized.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of my invention, Idesire it to be understood that although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes oflimitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the followingclaims.

l. A steam trap provided with a tilting receptacle, a trunnion ortrunnions Whereon the trap is mounted for tilting movement and havinglive steam and vent passages therethrough, and a live steam valve and avent valve structurally distinct from Vand non-connected with each otherand in communication respectively with the said passages through saidtrunnion or trunnions, one at least of said valves being within thereceptacle.

2. A steam trap provided with a tilting receptacle, a trunnion ortrunnions whereon said trap is mounted for tilting movement and havinglive steam and vent passages therethrough, a live steam valve and a ventvalve within said receptacle and structurally distinct from andnon-connected with eachA other, said valves being in communicationrespectively with said passages through said trunnion 0r trunnions. Y

3. A steam trap comprising a tilting receptacle having means to admitwater of condensation thereto and a steam inlet separate from said meansfor admitting water or' condensation, and a valve to equalize thepressure upon the water oi" condensation admitted to said receptacle,said valve being positioned within said receptacle at one side ot' itstilting axis and operated by the movement of said receptacle.

4. A steam trap comprising inv combination a tilting bowl having atilting axis and a head, said head being upon the opposite side of thetilting axis from the body oi. the bowl, a passage for admitting steamto the bowl, and a steam admission valve positioned within said head.

A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting receptacle, a passagefor admitting steam thereto, and steam admission and vent valvespositioned within said receptacle and located upon opposite sides of aplane passing through the tilting axis of the receptacle.

6. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting bowl, a passage foradmitting steam, oppositely acting and structurally disassociatedpressure admission and vent valves located upon opposite sides of aplane passing through the tilting axis of said bowl and operated by thetilting thereof and a passage independent of said steam admissionpassage for placing said pressure admission valve in communication withthe tilting bowl.

7. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting receptacle havingalive steam inlet passage and also having mounted in said receptacle atone side of the tilting axis a live steam valve controlling said livesteam inlet passage and movable in the direction of its own axis.

8. A steam trap comprising atilting receptacle having a live steam inletpassage and also having a live steam valve positioned in said receptacleand controlling said passage, and means for lift-ing said valve from itsseat upon tilting movement of said receptacle.

9. A steam trap comprising a tilting receptacle, having a live steaminlet passage, a trunnion for said receptacle having an oiicset memberand a live steam valve controlling said live steam inlet passage andsupported by said offset member Within said receptacle.

10. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting receptacle having alive steam inlet passage and also having a trunnion and a live steamvalve controlling said live Asteam inlet passage and positioned in saidreceptacle and movable in the direction of its own axis and operated byengagement of said receptacle therewith.

11. A steam trap comprising a tilting chamber having a live steamadmission and vent trunnion communicating with said tilting chamber, alive steam valve supported by said trunnion within the trap andcontrolling the live steam passage in said trunnion and an independentvent valve controlling' the vent passage in said trunnion.

12. A steam trap comprising a tilting chamber having a live steamadmission and vent trunnion, a live steam valve supported by saidtrunnion within the trap and controlling t-he live steam passage in saidtrunnion, and an independent vent valve supported by said trapinteriorly thereof and controlling the vent passage in said trunnion.

13. A steam trap comprising a tilting chamber having a partitioned, Huidadmission and exhaust trunnion communicating with said tilting chamberand having a lateral projection within the trap and a fluid pressureadmission valve seated within said projection and having a stem adaptedto be engaged by said trap and lifted from its seat.

121. A steam trap comprising a tilting chamber having a partitioned,iuid admission and exhaust trunnion communicating with said tiltingchamber and having a lateral projection within the trap and a fluidpressure admission valve seated within said projection and having a stemadapted to be engaged by said trap'and lifted from its seat, and anindependent vent valve supported by and operated by movement of said ptrap.

15. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting receptacle having afluid pressure inlet passage, a pressure admission valve controllingsaid passage and positioned in said receptacle and non-contactingtherewith in a position of rest of said receptacle, and means within thereceptacle for opening said valve subsequent to the commencement of atilting movement of said receptacle.

16. A trap comprising a tilting receptacle having a pressure admissionvalve supported within the same and lost motion means for opening saidvalve by movement of said receptacle.

17. A steam trap comprising a tilting receptacle having a iuid pressureinlet passage, said receptacle having a pressure admission valvesupported within the same, lost mot-ion means for opening said valve bymovement of said receptacle and an independent vent valve.

18. A steam trap comprising a tilting receptacle having a iiuid pressureinlet passage, said receptacle having a pressure admission valvesupported within the same, and non-contacting therewith in a position ofrest of said receptacle.

19. A steam trap comprising a tilting receptacle having means to admitwater of condensation thereto, and a steam inlet and a valve to equalizethe pressure upon the water of condensation admitted to said receptacle,said valve being positioned within said receptacle at one side of itstilting axis and operated upon movement of said receptacle and a reliefvalve also within said receptacle.

20. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting bowl having a livesteam inlet passage and structurally disassociated live steam and ventvalves positioned within said bowl and operated by the tilting thereof.

21. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting bowl having a livesteam inlet passage, a live steam valve controlling said passage and avent valve operatively independent of said live steam valve, both ofsaid valves communicating with said bowl through the bottom thereof, andat least one of said valves being within the bowl.

22. A steam trap comprising a tilting receptacle having a pressureadmission passage, a fixed member contained within said tiltingreceptacle, and a pressure admission valve carried by said fixed memberand operated by the movement of said receptacle, and controlling saidpressure admission passage.

23. A steam trap comprising a tilting receptacle lhaving a steamadmission passage,

a iixed member contained within said receptacle and live steam and ventvalves operated by the tilting of said receptacle, said live steam valvecontrolling said passage, and one at least of said Valves being carriedby said fixed member.

24. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting receptacle having atrunnion and a steam inlet passage communicating wit-h the receptaclethrough the trunnion, a steam admission valve controlling said passage,and a vent valve structurally disassociated from said steam admissionvalve and communicating with the receptacle through the trunnion, one atleast of said valves being within the receptacle.

25. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting receptacle having apressure inlet passage, a valve positioned in said receptacle andcontrolling said passage and movable in the direction of its own axisand means wholly within said receptacle for operating said valve.

26. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting receptacle having apressure inlet passage, a valve positioned in said receptacle andcontrolling said passage and .movable in the direction of its own axis,said valve being moved by contact of the inner face of the receptacletherewith.

27. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting receptacle having afixed member therein, said receptacle having a pressure admissionpassage and a valve within said tilting receptacle controlling saidpassage, carried by said fixed member and movable in the direction ofits own axis.

28; A steam trap comprising a tilting receptacle having a live steaminlet passage, a trunnion for said receptacle having an oset member anda live steam valve supported by said oset member and within saidreceptacle and operated by contact of said receptacle therewith tocontrol said passage.

29. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting receptacle having apressure admission passage, a pressure admission valve positioned insaid receptacle to control said passage, and non-contacting with saidreceptacle in a position of rest of the latter, said valve being openedsubsequent to the commencement of a tilting movement of said receptacleby contact of said receptacle therewith.

30. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting bowl, a passage foradmitting steam to the bowl and oppositely acting and structurallydisassociated pressure admission and vent valves located upon oppositesides of a plane passing through the tilting axis of the bowllongitudinally of said axis and operated by the tilting thereof, both ofsaid valves communicating with the interior of the bowl through thebottom thereof.

31. A steam trap provided with a tilting receptacle and a passage foradmitting water of condensation thereto, a trunnion or trunnions whereonthe trap Iis mounted for tilting movement and having live steam and ventpassages therethrough and distinct from said passage for admitting waterof condensation, a live steam valve and a ventvalve structurallydistinct from and nonconnected with each other and in communicationrespectively with said passages through said trunnion or trunnions oneat least of said valves being directly carried by said receptacle.

32. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting bowl having a livesteam inlet passage, a live steam Valve controlling said passage and avent valve for the bowl structurally and operatively disassociated fromsaid live steam valve, at least one of said valves being positionedwithin said bowl and said valves being operated by the tilting of thebowl.

33. A steam trap comprising in combination a tilting bowl having a livesteam inlet passage, a live steam valve controlling said passage, and avent valve operatively independent of said live steam valve, both ofsaid valves communicating with said bowl through the bottom thereof andat least one of said valves being directly carried by said bowl.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK A. LITTLEFIELD.

Witnesses IRVING U. ToWNsEND, MAY H. LowRY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

